Illinois State University
Il · Public · 100% graduation rate
Illinois State University is a public university in Il with a 100% graduation rate. We track 20 majors with debt-to-earnings ROI analysis. The highest-ROI major is Mathematics (grade A), with median debt of $21K and year-5 earnings of $126K. Data comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and NCES IPEDS.
ROI by Major
Debt and earnings data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI grades compare median student debt at graduation to earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, adjusted for NCES IPEDS graduation rates.
| Major | Median Debt | Year 1 Earnings | Year 5 Earnings | ROI Grade | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | $21K | $78K | $126K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Marketing | $25K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $27K | $62K | $86K | B | BUY |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $25K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $25K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Accounting and Related Services | $25K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $25K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $27K | $62K | $86K | B | BUY |
| Biology | $25K | $55K | $74K | B | BUY |
| Psychology | $25K | $48K | $65K | B | BUY |
| History | $26K | $50K | $68K | B | BUY |
| Agriculture | $25K | $48K | $65K | B | BUY |
| Communication and Media Studies | $25K | $52K | $69K | B | BUY |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $25K | $50K | $67K | B | BUY |
| English Language and Literature | $26K | $48K | $64K | B | BUY |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $25K | $45K | $61K | C | BUY |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $25K | $45K | $60K | C | BUY |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $25K | $45K | $60K | C | BUY |
| Special Education and Teaching | $25K | $45K | $60K | C | BUY |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $26K | $42K | $57K | C | BUY |
Similar Schools in Il
How Illinois State University Compares
Illinois State University graduates carry a median debt of $25K across tracked majors, which is $980 less than the public universities average of $26K. Year-1 earnings average $55K, about $3K below peers of the same type. Within Il, the per-major debt average is $26K, so this school sits $993 below the state median. Its composite ROI score of 71 is 1 points below the public universities baseline (72). Graduation rate of 100% is a primary ROI driver, since it determines how many students actually reach the earnings levels listed. Across the full site (2202 schools), the debt average is $26K.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your major. The highest-ROI major at Illinois State University earns a grade of A, with median debt of $21K and year-5 earnings of $126K. Compare debt-to-earnings ratios across majors before deciding.
Illinois State University has a 100% graduation rate. A higher graduation rate generally correlates with better student support and outcomes, which can impact your return on investment.
Median debt varies significantly by major at Illinois State University. For example, Mathematics graduates have median debt of $21K. Review the ROI by Major table above for a full breakdown.
The top-earning major is Mathematics with median year-5 earnings of $126K. We rank each major by its debt-to-earnings ROI score to help you compare options.
Explore College ROI Data
ROI scores are calculated by comparing median debt at graduation to median earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, weighted by graduation rate. Grades range from A (strong return) to F (poor return).